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February 13, 2026 Urbana, IL – Voters of Champaign County have the opportunity to hear from the two Democratic Primary candidates running for County Executive, Sanford Hess and Michelle Jett, on Monday, February 16 at 6 p.m. on WILL AM 580. The Candidate Forum is made possible by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) in partnership with Illinois Public Media (IPM). Co-sponsors are the NAACP Champaign County Branch and the News-Gazette. The pre-recorded forum was moderated by Arjun Thakkar, IPM Newsroom Senior Editor, and conducted on Feb. 10 in the IPM studios. The video recording will be available on the IPM and LWVCC YouTube channels. LWVCC forum lead, Cathy Emanuel, urges the public to tune it to this hour-long forum. “The Champaign County Executive candidate forum offers voters unique insights into each candidate’s knowledge, skills, values, views, and visions for the future,” states Emanuel. “Included are their unique perspectives on whether the role of County Executive should be an appointed or elected position. This has real implications for our community. Voters will find this forum very helpful before going to the ballot box.” To learn more about the candidates, voters can also go to the nonpartisan LWVCC Candidate Guide (votechampaign.org). The Primary Election is March 17. In-person early voting began February 5 at Bennett Administration Center, 102 E Main, Urbana. County-wide voting locations open on March 9. Vote by mail ballots need to be returned or postmarked no later than March 17. For more information go to the County Clerk’s website (champaigncountyclerkil.gov/. The League of Women Voters is a national, nonpartisan, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Voting membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. Contact: Cathy Emanuel Email: CandidateForums.lwvcc@gmailcom Mobile: 309-222-3170 At the Jan. 25 Keeping it Local program, leaders of four immigration-refugee service and support organizations in our county shared their insights and experience about the issues facing immigrants and refugees and the services and programs available to support them. They also offered important ways community members can be involved:
1. Know that your voice matters. Stay informed. Take actions like these: Urge your members of Congress to rein in ICE and the Customs and Border Patrol to stop their violence now. Encourage your legislators to restore the Refugee Resettlement System. 2. Show your immigrant and refugee neighbors that they are not alone. Spend time with them in the community. Support a friend and help people take back their sovereignty. 3. There is power in coalition building, and potential allies are everywhere. Find yours in neighborhoods, workplaces, faith-based organizations, clubs, schools, or friends. To learn more about the services our four presenters provide or to offer to help, see Immigration Resources in the Issues section of our website. If you were unable to attend this informative session, the video of this panel discussion is available on our League’s YouTube site. Our Turn: Karen Kane and Ann PrislandThis article was published in the News-Gazette on February 3, 2026 The League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) urges everyone who is eligible to use their right to vote in this year’s Primary election. Every vote matters. All eligible voters can vote in this election. Voters must choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot but do not have to be members of either party. Why Vote in the Primary? The Primary election season is here, with early voting for registered voters starting at the Bennett Administrative Center in Urbana on Thursday, February 5. This year, there are several contested Primary races, including among Democratic party candidates for Champaign County Executive and Republican party candidates for Illinois Governor. US Congressional Districts IL-13 and IL-15 have contested races in both Republican and Democratic parties. The outcome of the Primary election determines who is on your ballot in the November 3 Midterm election at all levels - local, state, and federal. We know you have your own priorities for what issues matter most: affordable housing, quality public education, immigration policies, access to healthcare, cost of living, environmental concerns, and more. Your vote in the Primary lets you select candidates who best represent your values and priorities. Now is the time to get started. Register. Prepare. Vote. The LWVCC can help with all three. Register to vote using the paper registration form, online, or when you go to vote in person. Whether you are a first-time voter, or if you have moved in the last 30 days, check your registration status and learn about your registration options on the Champaign County Clerk’s website (champaigncountyclerkil.gov/). Stop by the LWVCC table at the Urbana Indoor Market at Lincoln Square on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. - 12 noon, and we can assist you with this process and answer your questions about voting options. Prepare to vote by learning more about the candidates. What are the candidates‘ priorities, and how do they align with yours? The League’s online nonpartisan Candidate Guide (votechampaign.org) provides specific information about the candidates on your ballot, including questions asked of those running in contested races. In partnership with Illinois Public Media, NAACP Champaign County Branch, and the News-Gazette, the League plans to co-sponsor a candidate forum with the two Democratic candidates for County Executive. The pre-recorded forum will be broadcast in mid-February. Other forums may be scheduled depending on candidate availability. The exact dates and times will be announced on will.illinois.edu/tv and on the League’s website. Make a Plan and Vote! Voting may be challenging for some community members this year, as election day, March 17, falls during spring break for the University of Illinois and local schools. If you will be away on March 17, make a plan to vote early, either in person or by mail. You can register and vote on the same day (Grace Period), starting at the County Clerk’s office on February 18 and at other countywide locations on March 9. The schedule and a list of locations is available on the Champaign County Clerk’s website. For those who want to vote by mail, request your ballot on the County Clerk’s website as soon as possible so you can have plenty of time to do your research and consider your votes. Mail ballots can be returned to any of the official mail ballot drop boxes located around Champaign County by 7:00pm on March 17. By returning your ballot this way, you also save the county prepaid postage costs. The locations of these highly secure boxes can be found on the County Clerk’s website. If you return your ballot using US mail, it must be postmarked March 17 or before. Due to changes in USPS postmarking and transportation rules, at his January 27 press conference, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons stressed returning your ballot as soon as possible—”at least one week before election day.” The LWVCC supports that recommendation and makes this additional suggestion: if mailing your ballot through USPS on March 16 or 17, take your ballot inside the post office to get it postmarked by hand, rather than using an outdoor postal mailbox. Check out all the key dates and voting information available at lwvchampaigncounty.org on the “About Voting” tab. Over the last century, the League has fought for election protection, democratic reforms, and equal access to the ballot—all while maintaining our commitment to nonpartisanship. The League does not align with any political party, ideology or candidate. We are dedicated to protecting our democracy and ensuring all eligible citizens have the right to vote. Our Vote is our Power. Let’s use it during this Primary election. Karen B. Kane and Ann Prisland are Voter Ready Team Members at the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. Email Kane at [email protected] Outreach team members Carol Baxter and Shari Fox taped a second voting information podcast at the Illini Media Group studios in Champaign. They had a wide-ranging conversation with station DJ Callie Luttman.
The podcast aired on Sunday, January 25, at 5:00 am. In case you missed it, you can listen to the podcast here: FOCUS: Prepare for the Primary with League of Women Voters. After you click on the link and go to the podcast, click on the large X in a black circle at the top right-hand side to delete the popup. No account is required to listen. The link is also available on LWVCC’s YouTube site. You can also find a companion article in Chambana Today.
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